Contents - BC Lung Association

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Contents - BC Lung Association
contents
2    Foreword
3    Emerging Issues:
     Air Pollution and COVID-19 –
     What Does it All Mean?
4    Emerging Issues:
     Cannabis – Health and Air
     Quality Impacts
5    Environmental Justice of Air
     Quality in the Era of Citizen
     Science: Highlights from the
     2020 Air Quality and Health
     Workshop
7    Natalie Suzuki:
     2020 Clean Air Champion
8    Pollution Levels: How Does
     B.C. Measure Up
10   Trends: Air Pollution Through
     the Years
12   Updates from Partner
     Agencies
16   Contact Information
     of Agencies

                                     Bowen Island, Vancouver, Canada, Photo by Victor Sauca on Unsplash
Contents - BC Lung Association
EMERGING ISSUES:
    Foreword                                                                                         Air Pollution and COVID-19
               First of all, I’d like to say thank you to the entire staff of the State of the Air
               Report. It is a testament to their dedication and diligence that we’ve been able                                                                        What does it all mean?
               to publish this year’s Report in a timely fashion, despite the many challenges of
                                                                                                     The response to COVID-19 has led to a dramatic decrease           ‘gobbling up’ and digesting bacteria and viruses. However,
               working remotely during the pandemic.
                                                                                                     in economic activity and sharp declines in traffic. These         in the presence of air pollution – and fine particles espe-
               Air pollution reduces our immune response, increasing both our risk for infection     actions have also led to some improvements in air qual-           cially – macrophages attempt to also fight the air pollution
               and sensitivity to COVID-19. Accordingly, we begin this Report by examining           ity – especially the vehicle traffic pollutant nitrogen dioxide   but are quickly overwhelmed and unable to address the
               how air pollutants affect our respiratory system – and what we can do to              – but decreases have been modest and variable. Whether            infection. Air pollution may also make it easier for a virus
               minimize them.                                                                        these improvements in air quality will lead to fewer im-          to attach to receptors on cells, increasing the likelihood of
               Large-scale cannabis production releases Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)            pacts on heart and lung disease is unclear and will require       an infection taking hold once exposure occurs. In short,
               into the air that, if not collected and treated properly, cause adverse effects. We   detailed study over time, given the many complexities                       air pollution in the midst of a respiratory disease
               explore the air quality and human health impacts of these emissions, along with       of these relationships during an unprecedented                                    pandemic is a worrying combination.
               the measures government agencies are taking to manage them.                           pandemic.                                                                              If more people who are infected develop
                                                                                                     From a public health perspective, a more                                                  severe infections - those that require
               Environmental justice is a growing movement centred on the equitable
                                                                                                     immediate and important consideration                                                      hospitalization – then this works
               distribution of environmental benefits and burdens. It recognizes that distinct
                                                                                                     is the interaction between air pollution                                                    against all of the other measures
               segments of the population, especially indigenous communities, have historically
                                                                                                     and COVID-19 disease severity. Long                                                         put in place to ‘flatten the curve.’
               faced disproportionate pollution exposures – and continue to do so.
                                                                                                     before the pandemic began, it was                                                           Therefore, it is of paramount impor-
               Therefore, the movement seeks to ensure all people are protected equally under        understood that air pollution worsened                                                     tance to do all that we can, especially
               environmental laws, and that marginalized communities have a say in natural           respiratory infections. For example, in                                                   during the pandemic, to reduce air
               resource development decisions.                                                       2017 air pollution in Canada was esti-                                                  pollution and exposure to air pollut-
               This year’s Air Quality & Health Workshop had for its theme, “Environmental           mated to be responsible for roughly 5% of                                           ants throughout British Columbia. For this
               Justice of Air Quality in the Era of Citizen Science.” Among the many                 the 9000 deaths from pneumonia. In the SARS-1                                   reason, one early action taken in March was
               presentations: How the public is using low-cost sensors to collect air quality data   outbreak in 2003, areas with higher air pollution had dou-              to prohibit open burning throughout most populated
               in communities underserved by regulatory monitors.                                    ble the number of deaths. Air pollution doesn’t cause these       areas of the province. Moving into summer, implementing
                                                                                                     infections nor does it play a major role in transmission,         complete fire bans (campfires, outdoor fire pits) would be
               This is especially notable as people in these communities are often unduly
                                                                                                     although it can increase coughing which may help spread           prudent, while health authorities and municipalities need
               exposed to environmental hazards (including air pollution), and more vulnerable
                                                                                                     the virus. More importantly, air pollution affects sensitiv-      to proactively prepare for potential wildfire smoke events,
               due to systemic inequities, increasing rates of underlying health conditions (like
                                                                                                     ity to COVID-19 by degrading our immune response. In              including developing plans for COVID-safe clean air shel-
               heart and lung disease).
                                                                                                     our nose, throat and upper airways, mucus traps inhaled           ters. Further, individuals potentially sensitive to smoke –
               It gives us great pleasure to recognize Natalie Suzuki as this year’s Clean Air                                                                         those with pre-existing heart and lung disease, type 2 dia-
               Champion. Natalie will always be remembered for helping develop Provincial Air        Air pollution   affects sensitivity                               betes and pregnant women – should work with health care
               Quality Objectives and national Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards for fine       to COVID-19 by degrading our                                      providers to ensure their conditions are well-managed and
               particulate matter (PM2.5).                                                                                                                             consider acquiring room air cleaners. Aggressive action

               Before retiring last April, Natalie was involved in many air quality projects –
                                                                                                     immune response.                                                  now to retire older high emission woodburning appliances
                                                                                                     bacterial and viral particles. Specialized cells lining the       and to prepare to implement bans on use of fireplaces and
               among them, our own State of the Air Report and Air Quality & Health Workshop.
                                                                                                     respiratory tract then sweep the mucus upward until it is         woodstoves that are not primary heat sources will help re-
               We at the BC Lung Association will miss Natalie’s passion, expertise, and
                                                                                                     swallowed or blown into a tissue. Air pollution can degrade       duce this major source of air pollution when colder temper-
               friendship – and wish her well in retirement!
                                                                                                     these cells and remove their sweeping properties, thus al-        atures arrive in fall and winter along with likely additional
               Until the next edition of our Report, I wish everyone good health, safety, and hope                                                                     waves of COVID-19 infections. Besides their important
                                                                                                     lowing infections to take hold and spread. For example, ear
               in these uncertain times.                                                                                                                               role in the response to COVID-19, actions to
                                                                                                     infections – a common childhood infection – begin as respi-
                                                                                                     ratory infections but can then spread to the middle ear. Air      improve air quality have the added ben-
               CHRISTOPHER LAM                                                                                                                                         efits of reducing the annual toll of 1,600
                                                                                                     pollution increases the likelihood of this progression. In the
               President and CEO, BC Lung Association
                                                                                                     deep lung, where infections can be especially dangerous,          deaths and costs of $11.5-billion in British
                                                                                                     immune cells called macrophages provide protection by             Columbia from heart and lung disease.

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Contents - BC Lung Association
EMERGING ISSUES:
                                                                                                                                      Environmental Justice of Air Quality
    Cannabis                                   Health and Air Quality Impacts                                                         in the Era of Citizen Science
    Cannabis refers to a group of products      scale production facilities, which have
    derived from the Cannabis sativa or         the potential to negatively
                                                                                                                                                                                  Highlights from the 2020 Air Quality
    Cannabis indica plant, used for both        impact local air quality if                                                                                                       and Health Workshop
    therapeutic and psychoactive effects.       air contaminants are not
    THC is the main psychoactive ingredi-       collected and treated.
    ent of the cannabis plant, responsible                                                                                            Marginalized communities are often          communities in environmental policy         Lewis, a member of Squamish Nation
                                                There are several
    for the intoxicating effects, including                                                                                           disproportionately exposed to envi-         and natural resource development            Council and Chair of the SFU Board
                                                air quality related
    the “high”. It can lead to addiction and                                                                                          ronmental hazards, including ambi-          decisions.                                  of Governors, opened the day with
                                                issues associated
    is responsible for most of the short-                                                                                             ent air pollution, in comparison with                                                   an acknowledgement of the shared
                                                with large-scale                                                                                                                  Availability of reliable air quality data
    term and long-term health effects.                                                                                                the overall population. At the same                                                     traditional territories of the Coast
                                                cannabis production:                                                                                                              is a key factor in managing air quality
    Short-term health effects                                                                                                         time, people living in these communi-       to protect human health and the envi-       Salish peoples. He also spoke about
                                                • Cannabis plants emit volatile organic                                               ties may also be more vulnerable to                                                     the perspectives of local Indigenous
    of THC containing cannabis                                                                                                                                                    ronment. While air quality monitoring
                                                compounds (VOC), which have the                                                       the health effects associated with                                                      communities on the issues of environ-
    products include:                                                                                                                                                             has been traditionally carried out by
                                                potential to contribute to formation                                                  exposure to air pollution. This may be                                                  mental justice and air quality.
                                                                                                                                                                                  government, academia, and industry,
    • feeling high and sense of well being      of ground level ozone and particulate                                                 related to systemic inequities result-      the recent introduction of low cost air     Julian Marshall, a professor from Uni-
    • heightened senses (smell, taste, sight    matter.                                                                               ing in increased stress, poor nutritional   quality sensors has made it possible        versity of Washington, delivered the
    and sound)                                  • VOC emitted by cannabis plants are      Potential impacts to local air quality      status and higher rates of underlying       for the public to collect their own air     keynote presentation “environmental
    • impaired thinking, problem solving,       odorous and can cause problems for        from large-scale production facilities      health conditions (such as heart and        quality data. In response to environ-       justice – the big picture”. He spoke
    poor memory or concentration                neighbours.                               can be managed through appropriate          lung disease).                              mental justice issues, many citizen         of existing disparities in the US and
                                                • To manage odours, some cannabis         design, construction, and operation.
    Regular use of THC containing               production facilities use odour-mask-     Indoor cultivation and processing in
                                                                                                                                      The concept of Environmental Justice        science projects have taken advan-          approaches for reducing disparity.
    cannabis products can lead to               ing agents, which also contain VOC.       a facility with adequate air treatment
                                                                                                                                      (EJ) began in the US over four decades      tage of these low cost sensors to           Amanda Giang is an assistant profes-
    long-term health effects such as:                                                     can significantly reduce air emis-
                                                                                                                                      ago in response to the siting of haz-       provide local air quality data in areas     sor in the Institute for Resources, En-
                                                • The power production equipment
                                                                                                                                      ardous waste sites in minority commu-       that are underserved by regulatory          vironment, and Sustainability and the
    • Lung damage from smoking can-             required for indoor production of         sions, which also eliminates the need
                                                                                                                                      nities. Since then, environmental jus-      monitors. Government and academ-            Department of Mechanical Engineering
    nabis, which can lead to breathing          cannabis may generate both nitro-         for odour-masking agents. Metro
                                                                                                                                      tice has evolved into both a movement       ics have also developed an interest in      at UBC Dr. Giang gave an overview of
    problems and frequent lung infection.       gen dioxide and particulate matter,       Vancouver is one air quality agency
                                                                                                                                      and an area of study, with a focus on       low cost sensors for providing greater      current EJ issues in Canada. She high-
    • Mental health issues, including addic-    depending on the fuel used.               that has been exploring options for
                                                                                                                                      equitable distribution of environmental     data coverage and studying specific         lighted some key knowledge gaps and
    tion and increased risk of developing or                                              managing emissions from cannabis
                                                                                                                                      benefits and burdens. The concept           issues.                                     described tools and approaches that
    worsening anxiety and depression.                                                     production and processing operations
                                                                                                                                      of Environmental Justice includes not       The 17th annual BC Lung Air Quality         could be used to better characterize EJ
    • Increased heart rate up to 3 hours                                                  to prevent impacts from emissions.
                                                                                                                                      only equal protection for all people        and Health Workshop was held on             and air quality in Canada.
    after smoking cannabis, which could                                                                                               under environmental laws, regula-
                                                                                          Under the Good Production Practices                                                     February 11, 2020 with the theme
    lead to a heart attack.                                                                                                           tions, and policies, but also significant
                                                                                          requirements of the Cannabis Regu-                                                      “Environmental Justice of Air Quality
    • Impaired brain development in youth                                                                                             involvement of potentially impacted
                                                                                          lations, federally licensed producers                                                   in the Era of Citizen Science”. Chris
    resulting in potential deficits in think-
                                                                                          must have sufficient air filtration to
    ing, learning, and memory and in-
                                                                                          prevent the escape of odours. Before
    creased risk of developing dependence
    disorders, anxiety and depression.
                                                                                          issuing a licence, Health Canada’s
                                                                                          Licensing team confirms that the ap-        Environmental justice began
    Commercial cannabis production has                                                    plicant has systems in place to help        in the US over four decades ago in
                                                                                                                                      response to the siting of hazardous
    grown rapidly in BC since the legal-                                                  ensure there is sufficient air filtration
    ization of recreational cannabis use                                                  in areas where cannabis is present.
    in Canada in October 2018. In some                                                    Health Canada then inspects licence         waste sites in minority communities.
    parts of the province, this includes the                                              holders on a regular basis.
    development of a number of large-

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Contents - BC Lung Association
(Cont’d from p.5 -Environmental Justice of AirQuality)

                                                                                                                                                 2020                       Clean Air Champion
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Natalie Suzuki
    Anjum Hajat, professor at University                     traditional territory and the actions    Insitute of Water and Atmospheric
    of California, spoke about the role of                   that have been taken to address these    Research in New Zealand then pro-
    social and environmental stressors on                    issues. Annita McPhee, a former          vided an overview of a citizen sci-
    health outcomes. She described how                       three-term President of the Tahltan      ence project in New Zealand involv-
    stress and air pollution affect similar                  Central Council, wrapped up the          ing school children. As part of this
    biological systems and highlighted                       morning with an indigenous perspec-      project, the students built their own
                                                                                                                                                                          This year’s Clean Air Champion          working group seeking to develop CAAQS for PM2.5, ozone,
    the need for interventions to address                    tive on environmental justice in B.C.    PM2.5 sensors and installed them in
                                                                                                                                                                          should be familiar to regular read-     nitrogen dioxide, and sulphur dioxide. The CAAQS is the
    both air pollution and social policy.                    She highlighted the importance of        their homes to complement a net-
                                                                                                                                                                          ers of the State of the Air Report.     next generation of national ambient air quality standards
                                                             respectful engagement of indigenous      work of outdoor sensors, with a goal
                                                                                                                                                 A top-notch air chemistry engineer and scientist, Natalie        created under the Canadian Council of Ministers of the
                                                             communities and striking a balance       of educating the community about
                                                                                                                                                 Suzuki has graced the report’s masthead as member of             Environment. Natalie served as the B.C. lead for implemen-
                                                             between the economy and the needs        residential wood smoke.
                                                                                                                                                 the working committee since the publication’s inception in       tation and reporting on the new standards.
                                                             of local Indigenous populations.         Running-Grass, director of Three           2005. She has also been a constant guiding presence in
                                                             The focus of the afternoon presenta-     Circles Center, closed the day speak-      the annual Air Quality & Health Workshop.
                                                             tions was on low cost sensors and        ing about the importance of centering
                                                                                                                                                 But Natalie’s commitment to improving air quality in British
                                                             their application in citizen science     communities in citizen science and
                                                                                                                                                 Columbia went far beyond her many fruitful partnerships
                                                             projects. Andrea Clements, a physical    environmental justice. He highlighted
                                                                                                                                                 with the BC Lung Association (BCLA) – work that con-
                                                             scientist from US Environment Pro-       the need for authentic engagement
                                                                                                                                                 cluded upon her well-earned retirement from public service
                                                             tection Agency, provided an overview     and community ownership in setting
                                                                                                                                                 in April 2020.
                                                             of the state of low cost sensor devel-   the agenda and decision-making.
                                                             opment and highlighted the benefits                                                 In a career spanning over 30 years, the last 20 of which
                                                             and limitations of these                                                            were spent as Air Quality Science Specialist, Natalie wore       Colleagues, partners, and friends alike will always be grate-
                                                             sensors. Graeme Carvlin                                                             various hats in countless air quality projects. However, two     ful for Natalie’s invaluable contributions to her many work-
                                                             from Puget Sound Clean Air                                                          achievements stand out as her enduring legacy: Help-             ing groups – the Air Quality & Health Steering Committee,
                                                             Agency, presented on what                                                           ing develop Provincial Air Quality Objectives and national       the Air Quality Liaison Group, and the Regional Ground
    Lauren Pineault, a research analyst                      the agency is doing with low                                                        Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards (CAAQS) for fine          Level Ozone Strategy Steering Committee, to name a few.
    from Health Canada described recent                      cost sensors and actions they                                                       particulate matter (PM2.5).
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  But they’ll also remember Natalie for her ability to stay calm
    studies of traffic related air pollu-                    are taking to engage and
    tion exposure in Canadian cities. The                    educate local communities.                                                          “Natalie leaves behind a                                         under trying circumstances; her gift for communicating
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  difficult issues to government officials and the public; her
    studies found that the socioeconomic
    factors associated with disparities
                                                             Matt Wagstaff, from Envi-                                                           legacy of improving                                              sharp, dry sense of humour; and – for those who truly knew

    varied from city to city and that vis-
                                                             rochem Services Inc., spoke
                                                             about a mobile monitoring
                                                                                                                                                 air quality for all British                                      Natalie – her love of her cat.

                                                                                                                                                 Columbians and reducing
    ible minorities, immigrants, and lower                                                                                                                                                                        “Natalie always impressed me with her dedication, profes-
                                                             unit developed to evaluate
    income groups are more likely to be                                                                                                                                                                           sionalism, and expertise as much as with her kindness and
    exposed to higher levels of air pol-
                                                             the impact of residential wood smoke
                                                             in small communities in B.C. Ian
                                                                                                      The workshop was attended by 132
                                                                                                      participants in person with an ad-
                                                                                                                                                 their health risks.”                                             humility,” remarked Menn Biagtan, BCLA Vice President for
    lution because they are more likely                                                                                                                                                                           Health Initiatives & Programs.
                                                             Longley, a scientist from the National   ditional 14 groups joining remotely
    to live in larger cities with poorer air                                                          via webcast. The recordings from the       As the science on air quality effects on human health            “I’ve known Natalie since our UBC undergrad days, and
    quality.                                                                                                      workshop are available         evolved, efforts to develop Canada Wide Standards (CWS)          was so happy to get a chance to ‘grow up’ with her in age
    David Spink, of Pravid Envi-                                                                                  on-line ( https://bc.lung.     for PM2.5 were launched. Natalie recognized that the CWS         and experience ( not height!) in the air quality field. Metro
    ronmental Inc., spoke on be-                                                                                  ca/health-professionals/       would not support regional staff’s issuance of air quality       Vancouver’s air quality program will miss her,” mused
    half of the community of Fort                                                                                 air-quality-health-workshop)   advisories, so she took the lead in developing a 24-hour         Roger Quan, Director of Air Quality and Climate Change at
    McKay about the issues they                                                                                   along with podcast inter-      PM2.5 air quality objective for B.C. It was a bold and un-       Metro Vancouver.
    face as a result of oil sands                                                                                 views that were com-           precedented initiative at that time, requiring both scientific
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  “Natalie leaves behind a legacy of improving air quality
    development adjacent to their                                                                                 pleted with each of the        and public relations skills to develop and implement.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  for all British Columbians and reducing their health risks,”
    community and within their                                                                                    speakers the day of the        Equally important, Natalie represented B.C. on the inter-        noted Glen Okrainetz, retired Director at the Ministry of
                                                                                                                  workshop.                      governmental committee and multi-stakeholder review              Environment and Climate Change Strategy.

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Contents - BC Lung Association
POLLUTION LEVELS
                                                        How Does BC Measure Up?
    Pollution Levels
    How does B.C. Measure Up                                                                                                                                                                                           Ground-level Ozone
                                                                                                                                                                                                               Ground-level ozone (O3) is a reactive gas that forms in the
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Nitrogen Dioxide
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) is a reddish-brown gas that
    Weather has a significant influence on air quality levels in B.C. In 2019, parts of the province                                                                                                           atmosphere from reactions involving nitrogen oxides (NOx)        is associated with emissions from high-temperature
    reported record low temperatures—around 9 degrees below normal—due to an Arctic polar vortex                                                                                                               and volatile hydrocarbons in the presence of sunlight. A major   combustion. NO2 is mostly formed in the atmosphere
    that prevailed across Canada from January to February.1 The cold, stable conditions, and residential                                                                                                       source of both NOx and hydrocarbons in B.C. is the transpor-     from reactions involving nitrogen oxide (NO) and ground-
    wood combustion resulted in a build-up of PM2.5 levels and issuance of PM2.5-related air quality advisories                                                                                                tation sector, including motor vehicles. Short-term exposures    level ozone. The largest sources of NO in B.C. include the
                                                                                                                                                                                                               to ozone can cause breathing difficulties, an aggravation of     transportation sector and industry. Short-term exposures
    in a number of communities across northern B.C. The summer wildfire season of 2019 was unexpectedly
                                                                                                                                                                                                               asthma symptoms and other lung diseases, and premature           to NO2 are linked to respiratory illness, and there is growing
    mild with 21,138 hectares of land burnt in 825 wildfires.2 In sharp contrast, 1.2 million and 1.35 million
                                                                                                                                                                                                               death. There is growing evidence that long-term exposures        evidence of effects from long-term exposure, including
    hectares were burned in 2017 and 2018 wildfire seasons, respectively. As a result, no wildfire-related air                                                                                                 may be associated with the development of respiratory effects,   cardiovascular mortality, cancer and reproductive effects.
    quality advisories were issued in 2019 for Metro Vancouver whereas in the previous year, it stayed under                                                                                                   especially in the young and the elderly.                         In 2019, NO2 levels were monitored at more than 50
    air quality advisories for 18 days due to elevated levels of PM2.5 and ground-level ozone.
                                                                                                                                                                                                               In 2019, ozone was monitored at 47 monitoring sites. Eight-      sites. One-hour concentrations ranged from 21 ppb in
    In the following sections, air quality data collected in 2019 are summarized and compared against                                                                                                          hour concentrations ranged from 31 ppb in Kelowna to 53 ppb      Farmington to 53 ppb in Vancouver-Clark Drive.7 All sites
    provincial or national objectives. Data from all available monitoring sites, except temporary mobile sites                                                                                                 in Cranbrook and Hope5. No site exceeded the national stan-      were well below the provincial objective of 100 ppb and
    and industrial fenceline sites, are summarized in the Technical Appendix.                                                                                                                                  dard of 63 ppb5, unlike the previous years where seven sites     the national standard of 60 ppb over one year.8
                                                                                                                                                                                                               in the Lower Fraser Valley and Metro Vancouver exceeded the
                    Fine Particulate Matter                                                                                                                                                                    level due to conditions favourable to ozone formation, such as
                                                                                                                                                                                                               wildfire smoke under sunny, warm conditions.
    Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) refers to microscopic
    particles that are 2.5 micrometres or smaller in diameter.
    Major sources in B.C. include residential wood combustion,
    prescribed burning, marine vessels, heavy-duty diesel
    vehicles, the pulp and paper sector, and the mining
    sector. Travelling deep into the lungs, inhaled PM2.5 can
    cause short term health effects such as irritation and
    inflammation and can aggravate health conditions such as
    asthma and heart disease. There is strong evidence that
    prolonged exposure to PM2.5 increases the risk of chronic
    disease, such as bronchitis and heart disease.3
    In 2019, PM2.5 was monitored at more than 60 sites across
    the province for at least a portion of the year. Annual
    average concentrations ranged from 2.0 µg/m3 in Powell
    River-J Thomson to 10.6 µg/m3 in Houston. A total of 7
    sites exceeded the provincial annual objective of 8 µg/
    m3 and 3 exceeded the provincial 24-hour objective of 25
    µg/m3. 4 These are down from the previous year where
    19 and 24 of the sites exceeded the annual and 24-hour
    objectives, respectively. The elevated PM2.5 levels for 2019
    were concentrated in the cold months during periods of
    stagnant weather, particularly February, when outbreaks of
    Arctic air produced historic low temperatures across B.C.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                5 Based on the annual 4th highest daily 8-hour maximum concentration over one year.
    1 https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/top-ten-weather-stories/2019.        3 Gan, W.Q.; Koehoorn, M.; Davies, H.W.; Demers, P.A.; Tamburic, L.;Brauer,M. 2011, “Long-Term                                                                          6 Achievement of the national standard is based on a similar statistical form as presented, averaged
    html#toc5                                                                                           Exposure to Traffic-Related Air Pollution and the Risk of Coronary Heart Disease Hospitalization and                                                                    over three years.
    2 https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/about-bcws/wildfire-history/wildfire-   Mortality”, Environmental Health Perspectives,vol.119, no.4, pp. 501-507.                                                                                               7 Based on annual 98th percentile of daily one-hour maximum concentration.
    season-summary                                                                                      4 Based on the annual 98th percentile of daily average                                                                                                                  8 The Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standard (CAAQS) of 60 ppb is based on a three-year average.

8                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      9
Contents - BC Lung Association
TRENDS
                   Sulphur Dioxide
     Sulphur dioxide (SO2) is a colourless, highly reactive gas
     with a pungent odour. Major sources of SO2 include the
     upstream oil and gas sector, metal smelting facilities, the                                         Air Pollution                              PM2.5 levels (shown as annual average) have been increas-                                                         NO2 levels (shown as annual average) have generally
     pulp and paper sector, and marine vessels. Short-term
     exposures to SO2 can aggravate asthma and increase
                                                                                                         Through the Years                          ingly influenced by wildfire smoke over the past decade.
                                                                                                                                                    In 2014 and 2015, wildfire impacts on PM2.5 levels were
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      declined in urban areas over the past decade, largely due to
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      more stringent vehicle emission standards and other local
     respiratory symptoms.                                                                                                                          observed in parts of the province (e.g. Prince George and                                                         actions. There is evidence that trends have plateaued or
     In 2019, SO2 was monitored at 43 sites, excluding                                                   We look at trends in air pollution to      Kelowna). In 2017 and 2018 especially, wildfire smoke                                                             started to increase. The introduction of vehicles meeting the
     mobile and industrial fenceline sites. One-hour SO2 levels                                          assess the effectiveness of actions to     was widespread and several sites, including Prince George,                                                        2017 Tier 3 emission standards, and an increasing switch
     ranged from 2.7 ppb in Chilliwack to 131.3 ppb at Trail-                                                                                       Kelowna, Chilliwack and Victoria, observed their highest                                                          towards zero-emission are expected to improve air quality
                                                                                                         improve air quality and to determine       average concentrations over the past decade. The mild 2019                                                        over the next decade as the new technology penetrates
     Butler Park.­9 The majority of monitoring sites recorded
     1-hour levels less than 10 ppb. Trail-area sites were the                                           the need for additional work. The          wildfire season brought PM2.5 below 2017 levels for most                                                          vehicle fleets.
     only locations to observe exceedances of the provincial                                                                                        sites including Burnaby, Chilliwack, and Victoria.
                                                                                                         following figures provide 10-year trends
     objective of 75 ppb in 2019.
                                                                                                         in annual concentrations in the most
                                                                                                         heavily populated areas of the province,
                                                                                                         and the minimum and maximum
                                                                                                         concentrations across all B.C. sites.

                                                                                                                                                    Ozone levels (shown as 4th highest daily 8-hour maxima)                                                           SO2 levels (shown as annual average) in urban areas
                                                                                                                                                    are also known to be influenced by wildfire smoke. Siberian                                                       remain low – less than 3 ppb throughout the last decade.
                                                                                                                                                    wildfire smoke in 2012 and B.C. wildfires in 2015, 2017, and                                                      This reflects efforts to reduce sulphur content in motor
                                                                                                                                                    2018 are believed to have contributed to higher ozone levels                                                      vehicle and marine fuels and a reduction of emissions from
                                                                                                                                                    in these years.10,11                                                                                              the petroleum refining and cement industries.

                                                                                                                                                    10 Teakles, A.D., So, R., Ainslie, B. et al. (2017) Impacts of the July 2012 Siberian fire plume on air quality
     9 Based on the annual 98th percentile of daily one-hour maximum concentrations. The                                                            in the Pacific Northwest. Atmos. Chem. Phys. 17, pp. 2593-2611.
     provincial objective of 75 ppb is based on similar statistical form as presented, but averaged                                                 11 Influence of 2015 and 2017 wildfire smoke on ozone levels in the Lower Fraser Valley are discussed
     over three years. Elevated SO2 levels were also recorded at Trail-Warfield; however, this data is                                              further in: Lower Fraser Valley Air Zone Report (2015-2017) at: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/
     under review and not included in this report.                                                                                                  environment/air-land-water/air/reports/latest-air-zone-reports.

10                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    11
Contents - BC Lung Association
UPDATES from Partner Agencies
                                                                                          and exposure to traffic-related air        quality. Tier 0 and 1 engines that have
                                                                                          pollutants.                                not been registered will not be able to
                                                                                          Regulatory Updates                         operate in the region after this date.

                                                                                          The Metro Vancouver Board has ad-          Metro Vancouver is seeking feedback
     Air Quality and Climate                   ‘Near Road’ Air Quality                                                               on a proposed alternative approach
                                                                                          opted a new bylaw to manage resi-
     Change Planning                           Monitoring Study                                                                      to regulating emissions from open-air
                                                                                          dential wood burning. Wood smoke
     Metro Vancouver is seeking public         Metro Vancouver’s regional air             from residential indoor wood burning       burning of vegetative debris. Several
     feedback on a series of discussion        quality has continually improved           is the most significant source of PM2.5    thousand open-air burning events
     papers that explore opportunities to      over the past several decades, but         emissions in the region, contribut-        of vegetative debris occur in various
     reduce greenhouse gas emis-                     a new national Near Road Air         ing more than a quarter of the total       sizes across the region each year,
     sions and air contaminants                           Quality Monitoring pilot        annual PM2.5 emissions. Exposure to        leading to smoke emissions that con-
     in the region. The first                               study confirms that           wood smoke is of particular concern        tain fine particulate matter, nitrogen    Residential Radon                         Regional Ground Level
     three discussion papers                                 concentrations of air        in densely populated urban areas, due      oxides, volatile organic compounds,                                                 Ozone Strategy
     focus on three of the                                   contaminants are higher      to the proximity of a single smoking       and other harmful compounds, some
                                                                                                                                                                                                                         A need to update the 2014 Regional
     largest contributors of                                 near major roads. More       chimney to multiple neighbours. The        of which are associated with health
                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Ground Level Ozone Strategy (RGLOS)
     emissions in our region:                                than one million Metro       new bylaw will reduce wood smoke           and environmental issues and climate
                                                                                                                                                                                                                         emerged from changes observed in
     transportation, build-                                 Vancouver residents –         emissions through a phased approach        change. Metro Vancouver currently                                                   regional ozone formation patterns and
     ings, and industry. The                              nearly half the population –    that will include seasonal restrictions,   authorizes emissions from this activity                                             precursor balance The FVRD chairs the
     discussion papers will sup-                     live within 250 metres of a major    registration require-                      through site-specific approvals. The                                                RGLOS Steering Committee of regional
     port implementation of Climate 2050       road, according to the study, which        ments, and                                 proposed regulation is intended to                                                  air quality experts working to prepare
     and the Clean Air Plan, and identify      was conducted by Metro Vancouver           limits on the                              provide a streamlined, more efficient                                               an update for the Strategy, expected in
     and prioritize goals and actions to       with Environment and Climate Change        operation of                               way to authorize open-air burning                                                   2020-21.
     reduce emissions and impacts in our       Canada, the Ontario Ministry of            older more                                 of vegetative debris, where specified
     region over the next five to ten years,   Environment, Conservation and Parks        polluting                                  requirements are met.
                                                                                                                                                                               The FVRD is working with health           Small Community Monitoring
     and support the transition to a carbon    and the University of Toronto.             wood-                                      For updates on consultation activities,
                                                                                                                                                                               professionals to support regional         2019 saw an increase in interest for
     neutral and climate resilient region by    The study helped to determine public      burning                                    visit www.metrovancouver.org/ser-         initiatives on improving radon            Citizen Science among scientists and
     2050. For more, visit www.metrovan-        exposure to air contaminants such as      appliances.                                vices/air-quality/consultation.           awareness and protect residents from      communities and for use of portable
     couver.org and search ‘Clean Air Plan’     fine particulate matter, black carbon,    Metro Vancouver                                                                      potential exposure to this radioactive    sensors for air quality testing. The
     or ‘Climate 2050’.                         nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic                                                                                          gas. In 2019 the FVRD organized
                                                                                          tightened its rules for older non-road                                                                                         FVRD is in the process of reviewing
     Regional Air Quality                       compounds. The study also indicated       diesel engines, requiring owners of                                                  and hosted a workshop on radon            potential application of this technology
     Objectives                                 that while large trucks make up only      older forklifts, excavators and other                                                awareness for building professionals,     to provide improved air quality
                                                6% of traffic at the near-road station,                                                                                        planners, and engineers within the        services to our small, rural, and remote
     Metro Vancouver updated regional                                                     engines to register their equipment
                                                they contribute a disproportionate                                                                                             region. The workshop focused on           communities where regular stationary
     ambient air quality objectives for                                                   by January 31, 2020. All “Tier 0” and
                                                                                                                                                                               various aspects of radon risk including   monitoring is not feasible.
     nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and carbon        amount of vehicle-related                    “Tier 1” non-road diesel engines,
                                                                                                                                                                               health information, regulations, and
     monoxide in 2019. The new objectives emissions. Metro                                       which have little-to-no emis-                                                 methods to monitor and mitigate
     will drive continuous improvement in       Vancouver is                                       sion controls, must now be                                                  radon accumulation in buildings.
     regional air quality and further protect operating the near-                                    registered and labelled as
     public health and the environment.         road station on a                                     part of the Non-Road Diesel    Caring for the Air
     The objectives will continue to be         permanent basis                                       Engine Emission Regulation     Metro Vancouver’s annual Caring for
     used for air quality planning, air quality and looking to                                       Bylaw, introduced in 2012       the Air Report has more air quality
     advisories, air permit decisions, and      develop a program                                   to manage emissions and          and climate change stories at www.
     regulatory development.                    to reduce emissions                               protect the region’s overall air   metrovancouver.org/air.

12                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     (Cont’d on p.14)   13
Contents - BC Lung Association
(Cont’d from p.13 - Updates: From Partner Agencies)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Canadian Ambient Air Quality Stan-
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      dards. Moreover, individual communi-
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      ties may provide additional incentives
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      to residents depending on their own
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      local program funding. More informa-
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      tion on the Provincial Wood Stove
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Exchange Program can be found at:
     Quantifying and Monetizing the the variability in the location and mag-                            est susceptibility occurs outside of       Regulatory Updates                      Provincial Air Quality Objectives. The
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/
                                                                                                                                                                                           intent of the framework is to outline
     Health Impact of Air Pollution nitude of the wildfires.                                            major urban centres. Other publica-        Open burning of vegetative debris                                                  environment/air-land-water/air/air-
                                                                                                        tions related to a wide range of health                                            the process and key considerations
                                                           A science assessment of the link                                                        in B.C. is generally governed by the                                               pollution/smoke-burning/exchange.
     Health Canada, in collaboration                                                                                                                                                       for developing air quality objectives
                                                                                                        outcomes, pollution sources and ex-        Open Burning Smoke Control Regula-
     with colleagues at Environment and                    between exposure to traffic-related
                                                                                                                                                                                           in the province, mainly through key
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      SO2 AQHI-Plus for Kitimat
                                                           air pollution and adverse outcomes           posure, pollutant characteristics, and     tion (OBSCR), and a new form of the
     Climate Change Canada, updated                                                                                                                                                        goals, guiding principles and general      Earlier in 2018, ENV initiated a pilot
                                                           relating to asthma, allergies and lung       new investigative methods.                 regulation was recently enacted and
     estimates of health impacts of air pol-                                                                                                                                               approach. Guided by this framework         project to alert the Kitimat public of
     lution. Using the Air Quality Benefits                function is expected to be published in      AQHI                                       came into effect on September 15,
                                                                                                                                                                                           and recognizing the important role         periods when sulphur dioxide (SO2)
     Assessment Tool they estimate that                    the coming months.                                                                      2019. Among the several changes in
                                                                                                        Work continues on refining the Air                                                 of the established Canadian Ambient        levels are elevated. In collaboration
                                                                                                                                                   the new regulation that enhance the
     1,600 premature deaths in B.C. in                     Recent Research                              Quality Health Index and, in col-                                                  Air Quality Standards (CAAQS), the         with Environment and Climate Change
     calendar year 2015 can be linked to                                                                                                           management of open burning in the
                                                           Health Canada scientists, with their         laboration with BC MENV and BC                                                     Ministry is committed to reviewing         Canada (ECCC), an updated Air Qual-
     above-background air pollution (fine                                                                                                          Province, significant provisions have
                                                           many collaborators, published more           CDC, new research was published                                                    and updating its own interim ambient       ity Health Index (AQHI-Plus for SO2)
     particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide                                                                                                          been introduced for the protection of
                                                           than 50 air pollution research papers        on the application of an alternative                                               air quality objectives (AQOs) for nitro-   has been developed and recently im-
     and ozone) from all sources, with an                                                                                                          air quality in communities, such as:
                                                           in the last year. Health Canada par-         formula for wildfire smoke conditions                                              gen dioxide (NO2) that were adopted        plemented. The AQHI-Plus provides a
     economic valuation of $11.5B per                                                                   (doi.org/10.17269/s41997-019-              • Dividing the Province into three      in 2014. This process is currently         way to include pollutants such as SO2
                                                           ticipated in an international evaluation
     year (http://publications.gc.ca/site/                                                              00237-w).                                  Smoke Sensitivity Zones – High,         underway and will actively involve key     and PM2.5,
                                                           that showed independent associa-
     eng/9.874080/publication.html).                                                                                                               Medium and Low.                                                                    which
                                                           tions between short-term exposure            Indoor Air                                                                         stakeholders. The new AQOs for NO2
     Nationally, the health burden of air                                                                                                          • Strictest burning requirements in     will be accompanied by an updated          may cause
                                                           to particulate matter and daily                            Health Canada is working
     pollution was estimated at 14,600                                                                                                             the High zone immediately around        application guide to inform the AQOs’      short-term
                                                           all-cause, cardiovascular, and                                towards finalizing pro-
     premature deaths, 2.7 million asthma                                                                                                          communities.                            implementation in B.C.                     health im-
                                                           respiratory mortality in more                                   posed Formaldehyde
     symptom days, and 35 million acute                                                                                                            • Increases to mandatory setbacks                                                  pacts not
                                                           than 600 cities across the                                        Emissions from                                                Provincial Wood Stove
     respiratory symptom days, with a total                                                                                                        from residences, businesses, schools                                               otherwise
                                                           globe (DOI: 10.1056/NEJ-                                           Composite Wood                                               Exchange Program
     economic valuation equal to $114B                                                                                                             and hospitals.                                                                     captured
                                                           Moa1817364). Another                                              Products Regula-
     per year.                                                                                                                                     • Defining exemptions for backyard      The Ministry has recently commit-
                                                           study analysed approxi-                                                                                                                                                    by the
                                                                                                                             tions. The regula-                                             ted to funding the Provincial Wood
     HC has also analysed national health                                                                                                          burning and agricultural                                                           AQHI. The
                                                           mately 1 million births in                                      tions are intended to
                                                                                                                                                   burning.                                      Stove Exchange Program for the
     impacts attributable to wildfire smoke                24 Canadian cities between                                                                                                                                                 AQHI-Plus for SO2 is currently imple-
                                                                                                                        help reduce exposure                                                        next two years at $300,000
     in recent years (doi.org/10.1016/j.sci-               1999 and 2008 and found asso-                                                           Implementation                                                                     mented in Kitimat to alert the public
                                                                                                                    of Canadians to formal-                                                           annually. This funding will
     totenv.2020.138506). Based on ex-                     ciations between daily O3 in the week                                                   of the new                                                                         when levels of SO2 may affect the
                                                                                                        dehyde emissions in indoor air from                                                            continue to support the 21
     posures derived from chemical trans-                  before delivery and preterm birth (doi.                                                 regulation is                                                                      general population as well as persons
                                                                                                        composite wood products sold, of-                                                              local programs currently be-
     port modeling of wildfire emissions,                  org/10.1186/s12940-018-0440-8).                                                         well under way                                                                     with chronic respiratory conditions like
                                                                                                        fered for sale or imported into Canada.                                                        ing offered in the province,
     this study estimates that between                            An analysis of risk factors that                                                 throughout the                                                                     asthma.
                                                                                                        Health Canada will be publishing draft                                                        which involve several re-
     2013 and 2018 (2016                                               make people more suscep-                                                    province, and                                                                      Air Quality Subscription Service
                                                                                                        Residential Indoor Air Quality Guide-                                                        gional districts and municipal
     excluded), 65 to 1,900                                               tible to the health effects                                              more information is
                                                                                                        lines for acrolein and carbon dioxide in                                                   partners. Program incentives       The Ministry is now offering an Air
     premature deaths per                                                   of air pollution found                                                 available at the OBSCR
                                                                                                        the coming year and presenting a new                                                   include: $250 for changing to a        Quality Subscription Service, whereby
     year in B.C. can be at-                                                 that overall, one to two                                              website.
                                                                                                        risk assessment prioritization process.                                            cleaner-burning wood stove; $400 for       citizens can sign up to receive email
     tributed to smoke dur-                                                  thirds of the Canadian                                                AQOs framework and
                                                                                                        New assessments have been initiated                                                changing to qualifying cleaner heat-       notifications for Air Quality Advisories,
     ing the wildfire season                                                 population is at higher                                               NO2 updates
                                                                                                        on xylenes and benzene.                                                            ing appliances such as electric heat       Smoky Skies Bulletins and SO2 Alerts
     (May-September). The                                                   risk and that the great-
                                                                                                                                                   The Ministry of Environment and         pumps or pellet-fuelled stoves; which      for Kitimat. Furthermore, SMS notifi-
     range of impacts over the
                                                                                                                                                   Climate Change Strategy (ENV) has       is bumped up to $500 for “Red Zone”        cations via text messages are cur-
     different study years reflects
                                                                                                                                                   recently published an updated Pro-      communities, where levels of fine          rently under development within this
                                                                                                                                                   vincial Framework for Developing        particulate matter (PM2.5) exceed the      subscription service.

14                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                15
Contents - BC Lung Association
VISIT/CONTACT

     BRITISH COLUMBIA                      METRO VANCOUVER                         FRASER HEALTH AUTHORITY
     LUNG ASSOCIATION                      www.metrovancouver.org                  www.fraserhealth.ca
     www.bc.lung.ca                        4730 Kingsway                           Suite 400, Central City Tower
     2675 Oak St.                          Burnaby, B.C. V5H 0C6                   13450 – 102nd Ave
     Vancouver, B.C. V6H 2K2               (604) 432-6200                          Surrey, B.C. V3T 0H1
     (604) 731-5864 or toll-free at                                                (604) 587-4600 or
     1-800-665-5864 (in B.C. but outside   FRASER VALLEY REGIONAL                  1-877- 935-5699
     the Lower Mainland)                   DISTRICT
                                           www.fvrd.ca                             INTERIOR HEALTH AUTHORITY
     BC MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT            45950 Cheam Ave.                        www.interiorhealth.ca
     AND CLIMATE CHANGE STRATEGY           Chilliwack, B.C. V2P 1N6                220 – 1815 Kirschner Rd.
     www.gov.bc.ca/bcairquality            (604) 702-5000                          Kelowna, B.C. V1Y 4N7
     Environmental Standards Branch        1-800-528-0661                          (250) 862-4200
     525 Superior Street
     Victoria, B.C. V8W 9M1                BC MINISTRY OF HEALTH                   FIRST NATIONS HEALTH
     (250) 387-9537                        http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/      AUTHORITY
                                           governments/organizational-structure/   www.fnha.ca
     HEALTH CANADA                         ministries-organizations/ministries/    501-100 Park Royal South
     ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH                  health                                  Coast Salish Territory
     PROGRAM-BC REGION                     Health Protection Branch                West Vancouver, B.C. V7T 1A2
     www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/air/         1515 Blanshard Street, RBB 4-2          (250) 862-4200
     index-eng.php                         Victoria, B.C. V8W 3C8
     Federal Building Sinclair Centre      (250) 952-1911                          We welcome your feedback!
     420-757 Hastings St. W                                                        Please send correspondence to:
     Vancouver, B.C. V6C 1A1               NORTHERN HEALTH AUTHORITY               Dr. Menn Biagtan
     (604) 666 – 2083                      www.northernhealth.ca                   biagtan@bc.lung.ca
                                           Suite 600, 299 Victoria St.             (604) 731-5864
     BC CENTRE FOR DISEASE                 Prince George, B.C. V2L 5B8             B.C. Lung Association
     CONTROL                               (250) 565-2649                          2675 Oak Street
     www.bccdc.ca                                                                  Vancouver, BC V6H 2K2
     655 West 12th Ave                     ISLAND HEALTH AUTHORITY
     Vancouver, B.C. V5Z 4R4               www.viha.ca
     (604) 707-2400                        1952 Bay Street
                                           Victoria, B.C. V8R 1J8
     ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE               (250) 370- 8699                          Working Group:
     CHANGE CANADA                                                                  Tarek Ayache                 Derek Jennejohn
     www.ec.gc.ca                          VANCOUVER COASTAL
                                                                                    Menn Biagtan                 Marina Richter
                                                                                    Michael Brauer               Jerome Robles
     401 Burrard Street                    HEALTH AUTHORITY                         Chris Carlsten               Meghan Roushorne
     Vancouver, B.C. V6C 3S5               www.vch.ca                               Sarah Henderson              Natalie Suzuki
     (604) 664-9100                        601 West Broadway, 11th Floor,
                                           Vancouver, B.C. V5Z 4C2                 Unsplash Photos by Julian Wan, Next Green Wave, Kimzy
                                                                                   Nanney, Joanne Francis, Alex Presa , Marcus Kauffman, Daniel
                                           (604) 736-2033 or                       Nainggolan, Nikolas Noonan, Jon Tyson

                                           1-866-884-0888                          Pexels Photos by Andrea Piacquadio, Zhanzat Mamytova

16
Contents - BC Lung Association
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